Lenovo P70 mid-range phone brings a 4,000 mAh battery device to China
Lenovo has launched a new mid-ranged device in China today. The P70 carries some pretty solid specs with a 5-inch 720p display, 2GB of RAM, a 1.7GHz MediaTek 64-bit octa-core processor, 13MP rear camera and a 5PM front shooter. The new phone brings in Android 4.4 unfortunately. Where the device really stands out though is […]
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Apple Shares Continue to Surge as Record-Breaking Market Cap Passes $720 Billion
Apple shares are currently valued at roughly $124 each in intraday trading, giving the Cupertino-based company a record-breaking market cap exceeding $720 billion. Apple stock continues to rise after the iPhone maker became the first U.S. company to close with a market cap over $700 billion on Tuesday, the same day in which CEO Tim Cook spoke live at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference.
Apple shares have risen over 48% since the start of 2014, despite some critics suggesting that the company has faced a lack of innovation since the passing of late co-founder Steve Jobs. Apple has been particularly successful in China, which Cook claims has grown from a $1 billion to $38 billion market for the company in the past five years. Apple plans to expand from 19 to 40 retail stores in China over the next year to keep up with the high demand for its products in the world’s most populous country.
Apple announced its earnings results for the first fiscal quarter of 2015 last month, posting revenue of $74.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $18 billion, or $3.06 per diluted share. Apple sold a record-breaking 74.5 million iPhones during the quarter on the strength of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, paving the way for the company to report the most profitable quarter of any corporation ever.
Cook confirmed on Tuesday that Apple will announce any potential changes to stock buybacks or dividends during its April earnings call. The chief executive added that Apple does not need as much cash as it is generating for operations, assuring that it is committed to returning money to shareholders through its capital return program.
iPhone 6 Plus Owners Use Twice as Much Data as iPhone 6 Owners
There’s a new mobile analytics report out from Citrix [PDF] and it’s filled with interesting data on mobile usage, including a tidbit that suggests iPhone 6 Plus owners use far more data than other iPhone owners.
People who own the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus consume twice as much data as people who own the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus data usage is 10 times higher than data usage on the 3.5-inch iPhone 3GS. That last statistic isn’t surprising — along with a small screen, the iPhone 3GS is much slower with hardware that’s almost six years old.
Citrix suggests that the higher iPhone 6 Plus data usage is due to its users treating it like a tablet, consuming more media like streaming movies on the device.
iPhone 6 Plus subscribers generate the most data volume, double that of an iPhone 6. This increase impacts subscribers when choosing a new device — be careful to select a data plan that matches your super-sized screen.
Clearly the phablet sized iPhone 6 Plus shows data usage patterns more akin to tablet usage. For mobile operators, this increase provides an opportunity to shift subscriber Wi-Fi usage towards mobile networks.
Other details covering all smartphone usage (not just iOS) suggest that interest in mobile health apps is on the rise, with 78 percent of mobile health app users using fitness apps. Sports video watching on mobile devices is up from 21% in Q3 2014 to 50% in Q1 2015.
The report also has an enterprise section, which confirms that iOS is still the dominant mobile platform. iOS devices are responsible for 64 percent of devices managed in the enterprise, compared to 27 percent for Android and 9 percent for Windows Mobile.
Apple Confirms Aperture to Be Removed From Mac App Store After Launch of Photos for OS X
Shortly after last week’s deployment of OS X 10.10.3 to developers, Apple updated its official Aperture page on its website, adding a notice stating that Aperture will be removed from the Mac App Store when the Photos for OS X app launches.
The same notice can also be found in the app’s Mac App Store description, as noted by MacGeneration [Google Translate]. Once removed from the Mac App Store, it will no longer be possible for new users to obtain the Aperture software, but those who have previously purchased Aperture will continue to be able to download it from the “Purchases” tab.
Apple first announced the shuttering of both Aperture and iPhoto back in June, but the company did not specify at that time that the software would be removed from the Mac App Store entirely. Instead, it said only that there would be “no new development of Aperture” as it focused its resources on Photos for OS X.
Our first look at Photos for OS X came last week alongside the developer launch of 10.10.3, as several sites were given preview copies of the software ahead of its release. Reviews have suggested that the Photos for OS X feature set lies somewhere in between that of the consumer-oriented iPhoto and the pro-oriented Aperture.
iPhoto users will find they have more control over photos with new tools, while Aperture users will be disappointed to find that many tools, like the loupe, brushable adjustments, and custom metadata are missing. The general opinion is that in its current iteration, the Photos for OS X software is not suitable for professional users, and those who currently use Aperture will want to continue with the software or switch to an alternative like Lightroom.
The Photos for OS X software could see updates over the coming months to add more pro-oriented features such as third-party plugins, and there are certainly some benefits to the app — it integrates with iCloud Photo Library, its editing tools are easy to use, and it’s said to be much faster than iPhoto.
Photos for OS X will be released in the spring when the OS X 10.10.3 update is seeded to the public. Ahead of the official launch, Apple is planning to do a public beta, though a date for that is unknown.
10+ best free Android games with no in app purchases
There is no doubt that the very best games on Android do cost you money, sometimes you just don’t have the money to spend. Just because you’re broke doesn’t mean you should be left out in the dark when it comes to quality games on Android. In this roundup, we’ll look at the best free Android games with no in app purchases. It is important to note that free games usually don’t get the attention that paid games do, so don’t expect the moon.
AI Factory Limited collection
[Price: Free]
First up is AI Factory Limited. These developers have released a handful of card games and board games for you to play free of charge. Some of the titles include Chess, Hearts, Backgammon, Checkers, Four In A Line, Solitaire, Reversi, and plenty of others. There are some apps that cost a buck or so but the majority of the collection is totally free with no in app purchases and they provide a good baseline of time wasters for casual gamers.
Difference Games LLC collection
[Price: Free]
Difference Games LLC, much like AI Factory Limited, have released a bunch of free games with no in app purchases. Their collection consists mostly of hidden-object puzzle games that include their Hidden Scenes series and Hidden Mahjong series. They’re occasionally heavy on the advertising but hey at least there are no in app purchases.
Doom & Destiny Free
[Price: Free]
Doom & Destiny is a retro style jRPG that embraces old school 8-bit and 16-bit graphics along with a goofy story line and a fun premise. You play as four normal nerds who are sucked into a world where they must become heroes and save the day. There is a paid version that removes ads, but otherwise this is entirely free to play and contains roughly 40 hours worth of game play if you include side quests and additional stuff.
Don’t Tap the White Tile
[Price: Free]
Don’t Tap the White Tile is an addictive casual game where you must quickly tap black tiles in order to progress. You either win the level eventually or lose when you tap a white tile. It’s a vastly popular game and it’s been seen at such tech events as Google I/O and others. It’s easy to get into and you can put it down when you have to which is what defines a good casual game.
Dumb Ways to Die
[Price: Free]
Dumb Ways to Die is an adorably morbid game where you must help out dumb people who are unintentionally trying to kill themselves. It’s a casual game with a bunch of mini games where you defend people from their own silly actions. For instance, you’ll need to tap away piranhas who are trying to eat a person’s genital regions or defend a guy from wasps (ostensibly from a nest he hit). It’s a fun little game with a humorous premise. Also, if you have three minutes, check out the YouTube video (if you haven’t already).
Glow Hockey 1 and 2
[Price: Free]
Glow Hockey 1 and 2 are both air hockey style games and pretty much everyone knows what air hockey is. The tables are crafted out of colorful neon graphics which gives it a bright minimal touch. The games also feature offline multiplayer mode for those who may be wanting to play with friends in a place where there’s no web connection. They’re simple games but good ones.
Harpan LLC
[Price: Free]
Harpan LLC is another developer that focuses on free card games. Unlike AI Factory Limited, this developer doesn’t have quite the selection. That said, the games are solid. There is a basic Sudoku game, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire, and regular old Solitaire. If that sounds like a selection you can get into, the button to get them is below.
Ingress
[Price: Free]
Ingress is probably the best free game out there. It’s a GPS-based game where you must travel to portals, hack them, defend them, and otherwise battle over them against other, real life people. It has a very loyal following all over the world and it’s a great way to meet fellow Android users. There is also a feature called Missions that are essentially in-depth scavenger hunts that you can go on if the portal hacking thing just isn’t your thing. It’s a huge game and chances are your city has some people playing.
The LEGO Group collection
[Price: Free]
If there is one developer that should be universally applauded for raising the bar on free games, it’s The LEGO Group. They have a rather large collection of games and most of them are free with no in app purchases. Some notables include LEGO Bionicle and LEGO Star Wars, among others. The button below takes you to their whole collection. These are also great for kids since they can’t accidentally drain your credit card on in app purchases and the LEGO brand is generally inoffensive, which is great for parents.
Skyward
[Price: Free]
Last on our list is a casual game called Skyward. In this game you control two dots and you try to make your way up the puzzle without falling off or being left behind. It has simple mechanics and an easy scoring system. Some may be offended that the graphics are inspired by Monument Valley while others may enjoy the art style. It’s about as well designed of a casual game as you’re going to get for free.
Wrap up
If we missed any great free Android games with no in app purchases (and we probably did), let us know in the comments!
To see our complete list of Android apps and games lists, click here!
Nearly 750,000 Android Wear devices were shipped last year
In June 2014, Google launched Android Wear as a platform capable of taking the strengths of Android to wearable devices. The LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live were first to the market launching that same month. The Motorola Moto 360, ASUS ZenWatch, and Sony SmartWatch 3 to support the growth of Android Wear since then. Those devices, all released in 2014, have accumulated for sales that did not cross break 1 million units shipped.
Market research firm Canalys found that Android Wear accounted for more than 720,000 devices of the 4.6 million wearables shipped in 2014. That means less than 750,000 units shipped in seven months of availability. Even though the figure is not too impressive, remember that Android Wear is an entirely new product for Google and its hardware partners. It is safe to say that the amount of shipped devices will increase in time, especially considering the incoming competition from Apple.
Source: Canalys
Come comment on this article: Nearly 750,000 Android Wear devices were shipped last year
Skype Qik now lets you directly share videos between apps
If you’ve toyed around with Skype Qik, Microsoft’s video messaging app that it launched on iOS last October, you’ll be happy to know that the app got an update today that makes sharing those videos a bit easier. As of version 1.4, you can share videos to other apps or social networks directly from Qik without having to save them to the camera roll.
If you’re already used to sharing stuff across apps on iOS, then doing so from Qik should be familiar. From the Qik team:
Select one of your videos and tap on the ^ menu and now you’ll see a share menu. This uses your phone’s built in share option to send your video to whatever apps and accounts are registered for sharing video on your phone. You aren’t limited to what we choose for you: you’re free to share to any video platform YOU choose on your phone.
The update is available on App Store now, and you can grab it from the link below.
- Free – Download
Source: Microsoft
Skype Qik now lets you directly share videos between apps
If you’ve toyed around with Skype Qik, Microsoft’s video messaging app that it launched on Android last October, you’ll be happy to know that the app got an update today that makes sharing those videos a bit easier. As of version 1.4, you can share videos to other apps or social networks directly from Qik without having to save them to the camera roll.
Starbucks iOS App Gains Support for Apple Pay [iOS Blog]
Starbucks today updated its iOS app to add support for Apple Pay, making it possible for iOS users to reload their Starbucks cards using Apple’s payments service.
Starbucks was listed as an Apple Pay app partner when Apple Pay launched in October, but it has taken several months for the feature to be available to Apple Pay users. Apple Pay can only be used in the Starbucks app for reloading Starbucks cards because Starbucks is not an Apple Pay retail partner.
The coffee chain uses its own bar code-based system for in-store purchases with the Starbucks app and Starbucks locations are not outfitted with the NFC technology that would enable Apple Pay. There has been no word on whether Starbucks plans to implement NFC and support for in-store use of Apple Pay.
Along with Apple Pay support, today’s Starbucks app update also introduces an enhanced menu with calorie counts and a better experience for Mobile Order & Pay in Portland.
Introducing Apple Pay and a Few Helpful Changes
Now you can use Apple Pay to quickly reload your Starbucks Card. Touch ID makes it faster than ever.
By popular demand, the menu is enhanced. When you browse our menu you’ll now find additional calorie information on menu items. We’ve also enhanced the experience for Mobile Order & Pay in Portland.
This update addresses various bugs and stability issues.
The Starbucks iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Nokia’s HERE Maps updated with a number of worldwide improvements
Nokia has just announced a new update to HERE Maps that brings multiple worldwide improvements to both Android and Windows Phone apps. The update includes new navigable countries, significant improvements to nine islands and territories, new water features and public transportation enhancements. There’s a lot to cover here, so let’s jump right in.
Nokia has added three new navigable countries with support for turn-by turn directions, including Cyprus, Mayotte and Zimbabwe. A number of significant improvements have also been added to Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Liberia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Somalia. These improvements include major road identification and the addition of land usage information.
The company has also improved the way lakes, rivers and ponds look around the entire app. Public transportation is also seeing some notable updates in Kaohsiung, Taipei, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Singapore. These locations now show more accurate subway, tram lines and train path routes.
This update isn’t rolling out in the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to wait for it to ping your device. Once the notification makes its way to you, tap it, then tap the update button to get the improvements. This is a pretty big update, so if you’re looking for an alternative to Google Maps, now may be a good time to try it out.
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